Metal–organic
frameworks (MOFs)
have recently attracted
intensive interest toward a variety of potential applications due
to their very high porosity. However, the preparation of MOF films
is tedious and involves complicated procedures. Herein, we report
a simple and widely applicable strategy to fabricate uniform MOF layers
on desired substrates via dopamine (DA) codeposition
from neutral (pH = 7) aqueous MOF particle dispersions mediated by
visible light (vis). Uniquely, DA and MOF at pH 7 under vis illumination
created a synergistic condition, leading to the formation of a uniform
and stable MOF layer, which otherwise appeared to be difficult to
obtain. The zirconium-based MOF particle, UiO-66, played an important
role in helping generate a suitable amount of reactive oxygen species
under vis to promote DA polymerization, which in turn significantly
facilitated the MOF film formation. By introducing rose bengal into
the MOF film, excellent photodynamic antibacterial activities against
Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli were achieved. Overall, this study provides a straightforward strategy
in preparing MOF thin films on desired substrates, which may help
expand the application of functionalized MOFs.